National budget 11.28.08

Friday

Nov 28, 2008 at 12:01 AMNov 28, 2008 at 9:24 PM

GateHouse News Service National Budget
For 11/28/08 editions

Here are the top national stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/. Please submit stories below no later than 6 pm local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly.

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS:
Check here for a package of links to holiday content on the news service. There’s already plenty to pick from, and we’ll be adding more as your content comes in.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/holidays_seasonal/x1720672121/Christmas-holiday-content

AWARDS: Submissions sought for Best of GateHouse 2008 http://ghnewsroom.com/news.php?newsid=1227275043

Lifestyles

MORNING MINUTES: Word of the Day, Web Site of the Day and Number to Know. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/morning_minutes

CHRISTMAS BOOKS: Take a look at these mini-books with mini-price tags for the youngest children. Preschoolers and younger will delight in these five books that aren‚t very large. (For release Sunday and after) http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x776463458/Tis-the-season-for-a-good-childrens-book

BRIAN MACKEY: All I want for Christmas is a good book -- and enough time to read it. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x541369641/Brian-Mackey-All-I-want-for-Christmas-is-a-good-book

BE JAVA WISE: How to be environmentally responsible with your coffee choices - Many of us enjoy a steaming cup of robust coffee to warm the spirit and clear the mind on a brisk cold winter day. However, the selection available can be mind-boggling. Does it really make a difference if the coffee is certified organic, shade-grown or fair-trade coffee?
MetroWest, Mazar, on wire now, With photo
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/food/beverages/x596322684/Be-java-wise-How-to-be-environmentally-responsible-with-your-coffee-choices

Entertainment

SUDOKU PUZZLES: Latest installment is on the site.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x466648963/Sudoku-puzzles-155-189

SERIOUS HOLIDAYS: Holidays turn serious in Hollywood’s hands - Sure, stories about aging, death, failed marriages and disgraced presidencies are the last thing you want to see when you’re struggling to keep food on the table. But when it’s this good, it’s worthwhile to give art a chance this holiday season. Ledger, Alexander, on wire now
With photos
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x1720672061/Holidays-turn-serious-in-Hollywood-s-hands

MOVIE REVIEW: Wizards of 'Australia' - It’s a Western, a war picture, a romantic comedy, a family drama, a history lesson. Yes, “Australia” is all those things and more – too much more. In fact, I don’t think you could fit any “more” into it, even with a nearly three-hour running time.It’s cinematic schizophrenia of the highest order, hopped up higher than a kangaroo on energy and ambition. But, crikies, it’s a mess. Ledger, Alexander, on wire now
With photo
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x776460806/Movie-review-Wizards-of-Australia

MOVIE REVIEW: Penn revives the voice of a gay icon in ‘Milk’ - For Sean Penn, acting is all about execution – literally. In three of his last four movies – “All the King’s Men,” “21 Grams,” “The Assassination of Richard Nixon” – his characters have failed to make it to the final credits. And in the one movie he did survive, “The Interpreter,” he was murdered by the critics. Ledger, Alexander, on wire now
With photo
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x1720669492/Movie-review-Penn-revives-the-voice-of-a-gay-icon-in-Milk

NADA SURF: A dozen years after hit single, Nada Surf still very popular - The release this week of the five-album vinyl collection of all of Nada Surf’s music is a boon to rock collectors and those who never quite took to the sound of CDs. It’s also a testament to the trio’s resilience, not to mention the allure of their power pop. Ledger, Miller
With photos
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x415856698/A-dozen-years-after-hit-single-Nada-Surf-still-very-popular

Opinions

BRITT CARTOON: Toon on charity sought by banks and the Big Three.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/cartoons/x776463676

KEVIN FRISCH: I’ve been watching with great interest President-elect Barack Obama’s nomination of Cabinet members. And although it’s early in the process, I’ve come to an important realization: I need a Cabinet. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x415856589/Kevin-Frisch-Time-to-stock-my-Cabinet

RICK HOLMES: President-elect Obama should rally Americans to reverse the economic slide with three words: No more layoffs. MetroWest, 7 p.m.

WOOD ON WORDS: Turkey ... Chile ... are we Hungary yet? - As if you haven’t had enough leftovers this week, here are a few items I wasn’t able to squeeze into recent columns.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/columnists/barry_wood/x541369809

ELIZABETH DAVIES: Sometimes, wishes take a while to come true -
Holiday wishes apparently do come true — if you wait long enough. Last year, I wrote a column about my deepest desires for Christmas. It didn’t make the list, but the one thing I wanted most for Christmas last year was a night by myself in a hotel. As a new mother, I spent what little free time I had daydreaming about ordering room service, watching a movie and sleeping until I couldn’t sleep any more. Unfortunately, everyone thought I was joking and instead spent precious holiday dollars on books and clothes.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/columnists/elizabeth_davies/x415856818

PHIL LUCIANO: Holding out for a bailout - Today, I give thanks for the most American gift of all, the bailout. No other country is so generous in rewarding failure. Taxpayers should be grateful to have earned that distinction. But it's time to spread the green beyond corporations. The government should help the little guy. Or even the not-so-little guy - namely, me.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x596322902

EDITORIAL: An unsafe toy is no gift; take proper precautions - We would love if all of our readers remembered the true meaning of Christmas — not a consumer orgy but a quiet reflection on what is most valuable in our lives. Is there anything more futile on Black Friday than that last statement? This year, in particular, people feel as if it’s their patriotic duty to overspend and make their personal rebuttal to a Scrooge economy. If you must do that, at least do it safely. An editorial from the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x596322948

DANGEROUS TOYS: Dangerous toys for tots? - As the holidays approach, legislators and consumer safety advocates are calling on parents to be wary of buying unsafe toys this holiday season, following a new report. MetroWest, Hilliard, on wire now
With photo
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x776460809/Dangerous-toys-for-tots-Advocates-highlight-new-report

MUMBAI ATTACKS: Attacks in Mumbai spread aftershocks throughout India. Written by Brian Dwyer in India.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/x596322151/Brian-Dwyer-Attacks-in-Mumbai-spread-aftershocks-throughout-India

Business / Ag

BIZ BITS: Weekly business rail, with tips for entrepreneurs, a look at the most valuable NHL teams and more. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x415851620/Biz-Bits-Advice-for-entrepreneurs-in-an-uncertain-economy

INDEPENDENT STORES: (GOOD TO LOCALIZE) – Check you’re store owners in your town: Independent stores hope to catch the last wave of shoppers – Unlike the bleary-eyed salespeople who will man the big-box retailers Black Friday, owners and employees of independent stores plan to be well-rested and ready for the rush of holiday shoppers. That’s because most small-business owners don’t participate in the 4 a.m., door-busting deals that are offered at Wal-Mart, Best Buy and the like. At most they’ll open an hour early and stay open a bit later, but their crowds tend to come after shoppers have done the early-morning deals and are in their second wind. ROCKFORD http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x776461516

RETAIL THEFT: Stores guard against theft as economy slumps– For retailers, a foundering economy can mean trouble — when fewer people are working and consumers are reluctant to spend, stores keep a close eye on their inventory. But even as a slumping economy raises fears of increased property crimes, like shoplifting, during the holiday season, Target Corp. spokeswoman Erika Svingen said her company has more pressing security issues – organized retail crime. - ROCKFORD
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x776461513

RETAILERS UNDER PRESSURE: Retailers under pressure ahead of Black Friday - The Friday after Thanksgiving is always an important day in the retail world. But this year it takes on added significance and retailers are feeling the heat, especially given the relative late “Black Friday” and persistent doubts about the economy’s strength this holiday season. Ledger, on wire now
With photos
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x541367213/Retailers-under-pressure-ahead-of-Black-Friday

ALPACA FARMING: Alpaca farming taking off in central Illinois - HILLSBORO – When Juli Shipman looks out the front window of her rural Hillsboro home, she sees a retirement fund and a way to pay for college for her three children. She never envisioned her future would be tied to four-legged animals named Cocopuff and Skippy. Instead of raising cattle or hogs, Juli, a 42-year-old emergency nurse at Hillsboro Hospital, and her husband, Rodney, are among a small but growing number of alpaca farmers in central Illinois. A smaller cousin of the llama, alpacas are known for luxurious coats yielding a sought-after fiber that can be made into sweaters, scarves, hats and socks. By Steven Spearie of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x541369833

ALWAYS WORKING: Wired world makes it hard to leave work - Are you one of those people who can't leave work at the office? The laptop's always on your lap and your thumbs always gliding across the Blackberry so you can deal with your job even when you're supposed to be off-duty? SPRINGFIELD http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x541369852

GADGETS AS GIFTS: Gimmickry or pure genius, these inventions are ripe for holiday giving -
Have a bread machine or pasta maker stashed away deep inside a hard-to-reach kitchen cabinet? The novelty of these wonder gadgets of the 1990s may have waned. But every year, more gadgets are invented — and many stand the test of time and make great gift ideas. Compiled by the Springfield State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois_lifestyle/x596322843

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